OPENING CEREMONIES: Commander Doty called the meeting to order at 1000 hours, 12 Oct.  Opening ceremonies were held according to VFW Ritual. Eighteen Post 11447 members were present and two guests.

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS:The Roll Call was taken by Adjutant Burnett.  Nine Officers were present, six officers were absent (three were excused).

NEW RECRUITS: None

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS: Paul Gasperson a District 7 Inspector and Tom Elliott both from Post 2485.

MINUTES: Commander asked if the minutes from the previous meeting had been posted.  The adjutant said that a copy of the minutes were posted on the bulletin board and sent to members via email. The minutes are also available on the website www.vfw11447.org.  No changes were made.  The Adjutant made the motion to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Comrade Best, motion carried.

QUARTERMASTER REPORT: Commander called for the report of the Quartermaster: QM Burnett presented the report and made the motion to accept the report as presented, seconded by Comrade Middleton, motion carried. The audit was conducted on 12 Oct.  The report is on file, if anyone wants to see the entire report, contact the QM.

SERVICE OFFICER REPORT: Service Officer could not attend as he is busy at the RAO.

SURGEON'S REPORT: Letters will be taken to the offices of the Mayor of Subic, the Calapacuan Barangay Captain and the dentist who is helping us get medicine and additional nurses and support.  The Dental Outreach is scheduled for 12 Nov.

COMRADE OR FAMILY MEMBER IN DISTRESS: Ray Smith still in Gordon Hospital. Carletto Pickering, who suffered a stroke a couple of weeks ago, is at home and doing better. 

COMMANDER CALLED FOR COMMITTEE REPORTS:

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: QM Burnett gave the report. National has published the new memstats for 2011-2012. 

The two new Life Members that were recruited this term are included in the life figure of 354. QM read an email from Department Commander Hirshbein concerning membership which is attached.

CofA: Commander said that the dates for the Convention are 11-14 June. 

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: Kids tuition was paid (see Sep minutes).  Christmas Party and Field Trip was discussed.  We have 64 kids, 50 Post sponsored and 14 sponsored by others.  Post needs to put sign up list for donations for Christmas presents (P200 should cover each kid, but any amount given is appreciated).  Donations for party and field trip will be accepted at the Post Home.

BUDDY POPPY CHAIRMAN:P200 was collected at the meeting.  

WEBSITE: NTR

BUILDING COMMITTEE: Commander said that efforts to install a new sign out front is underway and will be discussed under New Business.

BEACH BASH COMMITTEE: First meeting was held on 11 Oct and things are on the right track.

PUP TENT 11: Seam Squirrel Best said that they had a good Scratch. Third Degree initiation was held for Ron Middleton and he is now a Cootie. Cooties voted approval for paying for half the cost for repairing and hanging new VFW sign outside the Post home if the Post would pay the other half. Cootie share P8500 ($198).

POST HOUSE COMMITTEE: Comrade Mike Best gave the report. The Commander, QM and PHC members had a meeting on 10 Oct.  The Canteen Profit and Loss Statement was reviewed and a change made.  Statement showed a monthly profit of P54888 which includes the inventory.  Canteen on hand cash balance was P6615 ($157) on 30 Sep. Business was extremely slow during Sept due to 3 typhoons which included over 75 hours of  no electricity at one stretch and several days with partial brown outs. The PHC interviewed an applicant for Canteen Manager on 19 Sep.  Sheena Costales was hired.

VFW NATIONAL HOME FOR CHILDREN: Commander asked the Chaplain to say a prayer for our National Home for Children.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Adjutant said the remaining raffle tickets for AL Post 4, approved at last meeting were purchased.  Approval was for the purchase of 11 books if necessary, however five books were purchase after the meeting and the Post only bought six for P1500/$35.  We didn't win.

NEW BUSINESS

Commander said that he is working on a project to purchase an electronic bugle that will play TAPS which can be used at burials and memorials rather then the unreliable CD player currently in use. The cost for the bugle is $530, the Commander is in contact with other veteran organization in an effort to get them to donate funds for the purchase. FRA, American Legion have shown interest.  If each organization donated $150 most of the cost would be covered, while we have not requested donations from individuals, we know from pass history there will be some.  Junior Vice Commander Middleton made the motion for the Post to help purchase the bugle and approve $150 towards purchase. Seconded by Comrade Michael Best. Following discussion motion carried. (Note: Bugle has been ordered and a member in the states will hand carry it back saving a lot of shipping costs).

Commander said that the Post needs to install the sign out front.  Estimate from the sign  company for repairing the old sign, making and installing metal bracket for hanging sign, removal of sign from previous business and hanging the new sign is P17000.  Pup Tent 11 already voted approval to pay 50% (P8500) if the Post approves a motion to pay the other half.  The Post home is not easy to find without the sign (as there are usually vehicles parked out front partially obscuring the view) and many new members just drive by it, even some tric drivers do not know where the VFW is and they pass it everyday.  Motion was made by Comrade Rowe and seconded by JVC Middleton. After discussion motion carried.

Motion was made by Comrade Ron Chesley to make the Post Home a non-smoking establishment.  Seconded by Comrade Smith. After discussion vote was taken.  Twelve voted yes to make the Post non-smoking; there were not any no votes and 6 abstentions. Non-smoking signs will be put as soon as available.

The Adjutant said that there were still 19 raffle books for sale for the Post 2485 Veteran's Day Events on 11 Nov.  Adjutant made the motion for the Post to purchase not more then ten books if any were left prior to the 10th.  Seconded by Comrade Best. Motion carried.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

The VFW Post 2485 Annual Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at Clark Field in Angeles City on 11 Nov at 11am (11/11/11).  Following the Ceremony, special event will be held at the Post 2485 from noon-3pm including the raffle draw.  Last year Post 11447 turn out at the Ceremony was low compared to previous years, hope we get better participation this year.  For members living outside the Philippines, if you attend ceremonies in your home town please let the Adjutant know so that he can put the info in the Post Community Report. Need to know how many Post participants, hours involved (including round trip travel), miles traveled, cost of Buddy Poppies bought or sold by members, and any donations you might have made and expenses (bridge tolls, etc). Also if you did any special work at the cemetery like decorating, putting flags on graves, clean up etc., please let the Adjutant know via email.

Comrade Alan Yu said that there is a school for the blind that needs used prepaid plastic cell phone cards that can be emboss with Braille to help their reading skills. Cards can be left at the Post home.

District Seven Inspector Gasperson said a few words, he mention the heated battle at Post 2485 concerning the non-smoking issue when they voted on it. He said that the Post passed its annual inspection with no problems detected.

VFW Dept of the Pacific Raffle Tickets still available.  The cost is $10 for one ticket (P500):

• First Prize $5000
• Second Prize $2500
• Third Prize $1000
• Fourth Prize (5 winners) $500
• Fifth Prize (10 winners) $250
• Consolation Prize (25 winners) $100

Raffle will be held at the Dept CofA in December being held in Angeles City.  

Raffle Tickets for the 20th Annual Chili-Cook Off to be held in Nov at Post 9892 in La Union are on sale cost is P300 per book and prizes are First Place P15,000 ($348); second P8,000; third P4,000; forth P2,000 and fifth P1,000.  Drawing is on the 26 of Nov, winners will be listed on website:  www.vfw9892.com.

Fifty/fifty: Comrade Ron Chesley won the 50/50 raffle.  P1700 was collected. P850 to the winner.

CLOSING CEREMONIES: Closing Ceremonies were held according to Ritual and the meeting was adjourned at 1055 hours.  The next GMM will be held on 9 Nov at 1000 hours at the Post Home.

Official:
/S/ Dennis L Doty
Commander

/S/ Tom Burnett
Adjutant
October 15, 2011